St Cuthbert’s Way Trip – Awards Ceremony

St. Cuthbert’s Way – Resources and Index

Firstly, let me begin by noting that this isn’t really meant to be of interest to anyone outside of the trip (unless they want to be interested, which is very lovely). It’s part of our collective memory of the trip and it’s also all of the others appeasing my childishness. It was a very enjoyable trip and there are always notable moments to look back on (or what we consider to be notable).

BRAVEST WALKER – Bev

This really should always be won by me, but I have to recognise that continually winning this just lessens the impact of the award. So, I’m prepared to share it from time to time. On this occasion, we decided that Bev should be given the award. She’s been going through lots of challenges at the moment and has been dealing with them bravely and courageously. She couldn’t make this trip, but I know that she’ll be back to ensure St. Cuthbert is pleased with her. Sarah has also buried a stone with Bev’s name on it at the Holy Island, so perhaps she’ll go and collect it in the future.

NICEST WALKER – Andy

This was the first trip that Andy had been on and so he made a big effort to be friendly and helpful. I hope that this doesn’t continue, but this warm, personable and engaging approach meant that he took the award for nicest walker without much difficulty. It’s never good to keep winning this award though.

BEST NEWCOMER – Andy

The newcomer we heard most about during the week was definitely Gordon’s blisters, although it seemed a bit much to award anything to those, despite the number of photos he kept sending of them. We also liked Craig, who was completing the same trail but was doing so unaided and carrying all of his camping equipment. We saw him a fair few times on one day, but never saw him again for the rest of the trail (I expect someone annoyed him, perhaps Gordon). But it was rather lovely for Andy to come along.

MOST COMPLAINING WALKER – Gordon

This was an easy one, even though everyone had moments of tiredness or being too wet, Gordon exceeded the rest of us by some way. A very worthy winner.

LEAST COMPLAINING WALKER – Sarah

Sarah managed to plod on all week never really complaining or moaning, although perhaps she was just letting Gordon take the lead.

BEST KEPT FEET AWARD – Steve

Although Susanna and I had no issues at all with feet, this prize had to go to Steve for having those socks which had individual toes. I’m not sure that they’re for me, but his ingenuity with this meant Steve had to win this little award. Also, for anyone who hasn’t heard about my completing the 100, the best tip I think is Sudocrem applied regularly and SealSkinz socks.

MOST DEMANDING WALKER TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY – Gordon

I normally set the bar quite high with finding things to complain about, although I’ve limited myself to just tutting about a lack of exciting beers (although this happens the majority of the time) and commenting that the cereals were out of date. Gordon has impressively increased the bar by asking for extra eggs at breakfast, asking complex questions about beers and food as well as getting chocolate sprinkles on all coffees (and not just cappuccinos). But, nothing wrong with getting what you want and he has remained an inspiration to us, although he’s stretched the knowledge of a fair few staff members this week.

WALKER WHO HAS FORGOTTEN OR LOST THE MOST – Susanna

Given taxigate, lostphonegate, gettinglockedoutofhotelgate, there could only be one winner. But we wouldn’t have had it any other way, as we like the drama.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER – Sarah

There were lots of good photographs this week and it ended up being a close call between the artistic nature of Steve’s photos and the photos taken by Sarah of people and landscapes. I suspect Steve will win next time, he’s definitely been spending more time thinking about photos and their composition…..

WALKER WITH THE MOST INTELLECTUAL CHAT – Julian

This was obviously always going to be me, so there was no real debate about that.

MOST ALLURING WALKER – Gordon

This was the most controversial award, but it was yet another one given to Gordon, not least due to the number of messages he was receiving during the week. Confidentiality prevents me saying more.

WALKER WHO HAS SMASHED THE MOST THINGS UP – Gordon

There was no real damage caused this week, just by Gordon managing to entirely break his blinds in one B&B room. It’s becoming annoying just how much Gordon has managed to achieve this week, the rest of us were quite jealous of how multi-faceted he is.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK – Gordon

“Normally I have a kip on these walks but Steve is showing no mercy” – Gordon

QUOTE RUNNER-UP – Andy

“Can I ask what happened to your hair Gordon?” – Andy

As an aside, I very much liked “they don’t let you forget any of your indiscretions in this group” from Susanna, after she was being reminded of a standing stones debacle from four years ago.

MOST OFFENSIVE COMMENT – Gordon

Which I obviously can’t repeat, but this was a unanimous decision and yet another prize for Gordon.